Coal-house Update

Coal-house Update

Couple of shots what I am working on in the SBM Challenge on Rail-Line Forum. This is part of the Idaho Springs build.


This is where we left off. Note right door is closed. As I was working on the next door I noticed there was not enough space for the door to slide the full width to right.

So what to do? I could redo completely - not a pleasant thought. I could switch to hinged doors - the sliders look so much better I did not want to go that route. Could try to widen building - issues with floor. Even considered shortening to 3 doors.

Thank Goodness a buddy that is building another coal-house suggested splitting the single to a double door and sliding both directions.


So giving it a go, made 1 set of doors and tested.


Completed other doors and mounted. Two open, one close and oops, some forgot to close the door all the way!.


Added top channel, happy with look. Add some more slats in door way to prevent coal from spilling out and I thing wagon side will be good.

Next steps, sides and roof. Thinking either planked roof with battens, or planked roof with rolled tar paper. if I got that route will have to tear a section to "show" the planks underneath.

After that detail interior to be seen trough doors and secure to a removable section of layout and scenic and add horse wagon being loaded.

Time is going to be tight, we shall see.

Thanks for looking - ideas and suggestions always appreciated.

Cameron

Sunday Update

Finally went from the workbench to the layout. Began building the switch-back for the HON2 Gilpin Tram.

Had to get my son to help, working between decks on this section is not a lot of fun. We installed 1x3 across wall to hit studs. Then made 16" uprights drilled every 1" to take screws or pins to hold sub-roadbed while adjusting grade.

Once this framework was installed it got much easier. Plan is the have a 21" level section at each end and a 96" grade between. This makes adjusting easy as 1" = 1 degree grade (1 to 96 is roughly 1%).



Have the z-scale track and locomotive on order. The ore cars are roughly 1" long and the engine is about 3 inches. So hoping to be able to pull a dozen at a time and them fit in the level transition.

Will not lock in grade until I can test actual pulling power.

Will vary scenery and have some cuts to try and fool eye into thinking it is more that about 10-12" deep. Some of the level transitions will be hidden, so will have to use a sensor to know when train has cleared the points.

Will make foreground removable to fix issues as they arise.

Thanks Cameron

Update on the Coal House scratch build.

Back from 17 day vacation with a lot of catching up to do.


Rail unloading side. Hatches in place, still need to add hinges.


Wagon loading side.


Test fit of sliding doors. Will model 3 open, one closed. Removable slats will go across door to hold coal from spilling out.

Will cut remaining doors and mount, then add channel up top.

Thanks Cameron

Short update

Still getting settled in from vacation.

Worked on the coal distributor.  Installed loading hatches on front and began wagon loading wall on back.  Pictures in a day or so. 

Worked on z-scale power max flea drive for my HOn2 shay.  Got it working and so far a 3% grade is no issue.  Needs a good bit more weight to pull much.

Work has decided to cancel work from home so my commute will eat into modeling time.  Plan to post some pictures in a few days.

Thanks Cameron

We made it back safely.

We're back from vacation hope to have some updates soon.

Thanks Cameron

No modeling until after Jan 27th 2014

Going out of town, so no modeling updates for a few weeks.  Hoe to get back refreshed and ready to resume.

Thanks Cameron

Quick Pre-vacation update

Going on a cruise from Miami through Panama Canal to LA 10th - 27th so wont be able to do any updates. Wanted to post a few pictures before I left.

First got the z scale PowerMax in:


Here is a top view of the PowerMax on a self healing mat for measurements and a HON3 truck for comparision.


Same from side.

Scratch building Coal House:


Laying out foundation and floor joists. Used a lot of techniques I learned here from reading the great posts on the Forums.


Foundation and floor joists built. This design is for Idaho Springs and is a composite of several sources. 32' by 10' 4 bin. Set for Gondola (C&S 3 & 4 board) height for unloading by hand. Wagon loading for distribution will be on the other side.


Side view of foundation, joists and flooring.



This is the rail side wall. 6x6 corners with 4x4 external studs. loading hatches are being build as you can see.

That's it for now.

Thanks Cameron